Many people are feared dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded around the Bauchi road axis in Jos, Plateau state.

According to a witness, the incident happened on Thursday at Bauchi junction leading to the University of Jos hostel.

The witness, who only identified himself as Bash, told Peoples Gazette that the tanker had a brake failure, lost control, and fell into a ditch.

The tanker immediately exploded with cars and buildings around it gutted by fire.

“The trailer (tanker) had fuel in it. He was coming from the slope from the University of Jos down to Bauchi junction. It seems the brake failed and the trailer entered a ditch. There was fuel in it and it exploded,” he said.

He further explained how the inferno had a chain reaction, as many cars and houses burnt to ashes.

“There was pandemonium, tension, and all that. I put on my status that Nigerian students should avoid Bauchi junction for now due to the tension,” he added.

He further explained how the tension around that axis led to the burning of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) vehicle by irate youths.

He, however, couldn’t confirm the level of casualty at the time of this report.

Unity FM, a Jos-based radio station also reported that there were casualties, but they also couldn’t confirm the number.

No fire truck to quell the inferno was sighted as per Unity FM report.

Videos and photos making the rounds on social media saw witnesses watching helplessly as the fire wreaked havoc.

Speaking to The Gazette, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Plateau State Command, Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident, but he could not give further details.

“My DPO is still there. He is still working. They are there and we don’t want to remove them. He is the one that will give me facts on what to say,” he said.

Cautious about being misquoted, he added, “You people should give us time to gather information and give it to you appropriately so that we will not be misquoted and misunderstood.”